Interview Style Tips

They say that first impressions last a lifetime. Fortunately, that saying isn’t the case for everyone in every situation, but for a job interview, it definitely is. Your first impression can make or break your interview. And a first impression is made within the first 30 seconds of meeting a person, so how you look will have a huge impact on the interviewer’s opinion of you. Which is why dressing for an interview can seem a bit daunting for some, but it’s actually very easy if you apply a few simple tips.

Show Your Professional Brand
Your interview attire should display who you are as a professional at work. Which might be very different than how you look and act with friends and family. Your professional brand is your beliefs, passions, expertise, and personality that you’re bringing to the company and the position you’re interviewing for, so dress the part. If you’re not sure how to portray your brand through your interview style, ask a stylist at a department store to help. Trying on different styles, colors, and pieces will help get you there. Especially if you have a professional to help. And that’s what the employees at the department stores are there for!

Know the Company Culture
The company culture, industry and even the job’s location play a large part in what’s appropriate to wear for an interview. For example, an advertising agency will likely lean more towards a modern trendy vibe and employees at a large law firm or consulting firm might wear attire that’s a little more conservative, business attire. Also, employees at an office in Miami might wear more color to the office versus their peers in a New York or Boston location. So, if you’re an Attorney applying for a position at a trendy advertising agency, don’t be afraid to add some style to your interview wardrobe, or if you’re a Creative Director interviewing at a large law firm, you’ll want to dial back your style just a bit to align better with the company culture. Do some research on the Internet for the company, industry and even competitors to help determine suitable interview outfits. Again, you’ll still want to align with your professional brand, but knowing and understanding the company culture will allow you to align with both your brand and the company’s brand.

When in Doubt Ask
It’s completely appropriate to ask the Recruiter or Hiring Manager what the company dress code is. That’s a very common question during the interview process and easy for them to answer. They’ll usually tell you that it’s business, business casual or casual. If you’re lucky they’ll even go as far as to describe what people wear: “Suits”, “Jeans”, “Dresses and Skirts”, etc. They might even add in what not to wear “no jeans”, “no open-toed shoes”, etc. If you’re still in doubt, err on the side of being slightly overdressed.

Dress One to Two Levels Up
Even if you’re interviewing in a casual workplace environment or an entry-level position, you should always dress-up for an interview. If it’s a casual work culture, don’t wear a suit, that would be too much, but something business casual and fashionable (printed dress & blazer, skirt and printed blouse, slacks and a nice blouse, etc.) would be best. If it’s a business environment, then a blue or black suit is pretty standard. If it’s business casual, then mix and match separates will work. You don’t need to wear a suit, but dress more business than casual (sheath dress with a cardigan or blazer or mix and match your dress pants, blouses, and blazers).

Make Sure You’re Impeccable
Your clothes, hair, make-up accessories, and shoes should all look brand new and fresh out of the salon. If your clothes aren’t new, make sure they’re clean, pressed, and lint free (and pet hair free). Your shoes should look new (even if they aren’t). And your hair and make-up should look like you just walked out of a salon. Also, make sure your hair is pulled back in a way that it doesn’t require you to brush it out of your eyes or face while you’re talking. That will distract your interviewer. You want to make sure you look impeccable for an interview.

Be Confident and Comfortable
It’s important to look and feel confident in what you wear to an interview. So, pick something that makes you shine. Maybe a pair of heels makes you feel taller and more confident or you have a favorite dress that you love and gives you confidence, wear them. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing. Not in a casual way, but in a way that isn’t a distraction for you during the interview process. Don’t wear anything too tight. If you can’t walk in heels, don’t wear them. Wear some stylish kitten heels instead. If you’re not confident and comfortable in what you’re wearing it will definitely come across in the interview.

Following a few simple tips and taking some extra time to think about your interview attire will help you during the interview process and hopefully help you land your new job. Don’t forget to bring copies of your resume and a small notebook to take notes!

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